Church warden, 86, died after she was attacked in house burglary

Revealed: Church warden, 86, died of her wounds after she was attacked in house burglary as suspect in his 30s is sectioned and sent to mental health unit

• Beryl Purdy was found dead at her home in the village of Broomfield on Monday
• Villagers felt ‘anger and disgust’ at the sudden death of the active pensioner

A quaint village was sealed off by police investigating the ‘horrific’ murder of an 86-year-old ‘highly respected’ church warden and grandmother.

The victim, named locally as Beryl Purdy, was found following reports of a burglary at her country home where she lived with her invalid husband Peter, 88.

A local man was arrested in connection to the incident, sectioned and sent to a secure mental health unit. 

Now villagers claim they felt ‘anger and disgust’ at the sudden death of the active pensioner who was at the heart of village life.

A quaint village was sealed off by police investigating the ‘horrific’ murder of 86-year-old Beryl Purdy, a ‘highly respected’ church warden and grandmother. Pictured: Crime officers at the murder scene in Broomfield today

Now villagers claim they felt ‘anger and disgust’ at the sudden death of the active pensioner who was at the heart of village life. Pictured: Floral tributes placed at the murder scene today

A local man was arrested in connection to the incident, sanctioned and sent to a secure mental health unit. Pictured: Investigators at the scene today

Locals said Mrs Purdy, known to everyone as Bez, was the main carer for her husband who has severe mobility problems. The couple also employ home helps to assist with their daily living.

One villager told MailOnline: ‘They are a well-loved and highly respected couple who have been the heart and soul of the village for some years.

‘Bez helped to run the village hall, you would never think she was in her mid-eighties.

‘We don’t know what happened but people are feeling angry and disgusted that a woman of Bez’s years has lost her life.’

Flowers were laid on the police cordon with a message saying: ‘Bez, there are no words…Our thoughts are with you and your family.’

The couple have a son Nick and daughter-in-law Teresa who are comforting Mr Purdy who was described by locals as ‘distraught’.

A huge police cordon has been thrown around the family’s redbrick country cottage (pictured) in the village of Broomfield, near Taunton, Somerset today

Police search teams and scenes of crime officers were in the couple’s garden (pictured) and a mobile police station was set up next to St Mary and all saints church where Mrs Purdy was church warden

Flowers were laid on the police cordon with a message saying: ‘Bez, there are no words…Our thoughts are with you and your family’

A huge police cordon has been thrown around the family’s redbrick country cottage in the village of Broomfield, near Taunton, Somerset today.

Police search teams and scenes of crime officers were in the couple’s garden and a mobile police station was set up next to St Mary and all saints church where Mrs Purdy was church warden. 

Roadblocks have been set up at the three entrances to the village which, is partly owned by the National Trust. Even the local postman had to hand his deliveries to officers stationed at the roadblocks.

Mrs Purdy was found seriously injured at her property in Broomfield near Taunton, Somerset, at 5.45pm on Monday.

Police called to the burglary tried to save her, but she could not be revived and died at the scene.

A forensic post-mortem was conducted yesterday but formal identification has not yet taken place. 

Residents of a ‘usually quiet’ village are fearful of fresh attacks after the death of a pensioner who was seriously injured during a house burglary. Pictured: Flowers left near the scene today

A woman in her 80s was tragically found dead following reports of a burglary in Somerset on Monday evening. A man in his 30s was arrested in connection to the incident. Pictured: Police at the scene in Broomfield, Bridgwater today

Officers arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of murder three hours later after sniffer dogs and a police helicopter were called to the scene.

The local man has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and transferred to a secure mental health unit.

He was assessed by a mental health professional who deemed he was ‘not fit for interview’ or to be detained in police custody. 

It is the second tragedy to hit the family – Mrs Purdy’s daughter Alison, 46, a police officer, was killed in a horse riding accident in 2012.

Avon and Somerset Police have referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The mandatory conduct referral is concerning the action taken following a missing person report made earlier in the day.

Details about the referral are limited, but MailOnline has approached the IOPC for comment.

A local, who lives about half a mile from the scene, said the rural village hasn’t had a burglary for at least two years. Pictured: A police cordon today on a road in Broomfield, Bridgwater

Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Justin French said there will be increased police activity in the area while a ‘full and thorough investigation’ is carried out. Pictured: An officer standing guard near a police cordon today

Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Justin French said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the family during this incredibly difficult time and they are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers.

‘Incidents of this kind are rare and understandably can cause concern among the community.’

His remarks came as locals expressed fear that they could fall victim to further attacks. 

A woman who lives about half a mile from the scene, speaking earlier today on the basis of anonymity, said the rural village hasn’t had a burglary for at least two years.

‘It’s such a lovely area, it’s normally so quiet and I don’t think we’ve seen a police car for months,’ she explained.

‘It’s really worrying what’s happened but I’m glad they have a suspect. I’m not sure who the woman was but it’s probably someone I know from around the village.’

‘It’s really worrying because if the suspect they have isn’t the suspect, he could still be out there,’ the woman added.

She claimed the last time the village experienced a burglary was ‘a couple of years ago and it was nothing like this.’

Ch Ins French said there will be increased police activity in the area while a ‘full and thorough investigation’ is carried out

‘Police came and took finger prints and that, but certainly nobody was hurt,’ she said.

Ch Ins French said there will be increased police activity in the area while a ‘full and thorough investigation’ is carried out.

He added: ‘We would encourage anyone with any concerns to speak to our officers, who will be out on high-visibility patrols of the area, with any concerns and questions they may have. Alternatively, you can contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team.’

Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is encouraged to call 101 and quote reference 5223071427. 

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